AWM Author talk: Katrina Kittel

Join us for our author talks series in the AWM theatre, bringing together some of Australia’s leading voices to talk about their new books.

When: Wednesday, 25 November

Where: Theatre, Australian War Memorial

Time: 12.30 pm (doors open 12.10 pm)

Katrina Kittel will talk about the experiences of Australian and New Zealand POWs in Italy (1942 to 1945) and her book Long Journey Home: the perilous escapes of Anzac POWs from fascists in wartime Italy, published by Allen & Unwin.

Although her research began with an attempt to learn more about her POW father, who’d spoke little to her about his war, Katrina learned more about his wartime context from archival records, memoirs and interviews of his POW peers. She’d research a wider cohort of Australian and New Zealand POWs in Italy to discover a complex shared history between the POWs and the Italians they encountered during 1942 to 1945, and the resonances of their war into the postwar decades.

Meet the author

Katrina Kittel is a historian and librarian who completed a B.Arts (History), B. Science and a Master of Leadership and Management in Education at The University of Newcastle, as well as a graduate diploma in library and information science at Charles Sturt University. For 30 years she worked at The University of Newcastle, including as a student advisor, research assistant and librarian.

Katrina has written for journals and other publications since 2013, including co-authoring an article for War & Society. She has been researching the stories of Australian and New Zealand POWs in Italy for 13 years, and currently works in public libraries in the lower Hunter region of NSW.

Parking and access

Free visitor parking is available in the P1 carpark.&

Taxi, rideshare, or private drop offs are located in the underground P1 Visitor Carpark with access via Fairbairn Avenue.

Accessibility

Wheelchair and Carers seating

There is reserved wheelchair accessible seating available in Seats 1, 2, 3, 21, 22 of Row L with carers seats adjacent.

This Author Talk series presents a range of perspectives. Speakers’ views are their own.